Published June 14, 2019
MELROSE — The final Saturday of June marks the return of Temple Beth Shalom’s popular concert series “Keeping Jazz Alive.” Each year this wonderful event rekindles our memory of the late Irving Smolems, a longtime member of our congregation and lover of jazz music. This year’s concert features renowned vocalist Cassandra McKinley and jazz violinist Jason Anick.
Cassandra McKinley is currently an assistant professor in the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music. She’s logged over 30 years as a professional musician, touring and performing with jazz and rock greats including Herb Pomeroy and J. Geils.
Jason Anick is a professor of violin at Berklee. Downbeat magazine called him “a rising star in the world of jazz violin and mandolin.” He’s played with a diverse array of artists, including performances with Stevie Wonder, John Sebastian and Tommy Emmanuel.
The concert will also feature Berklee College of Music professor and bassist Bruce Gertz and Trio-Now, consisting of Gertz, Jack Diefendorf on drums and Steve Hunt on piano.
Bruce Gertz has toured and performed with some of the best artists on the jazz scene, including Gary Burton, Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie and Maynard Ferguson. He is also a winner of the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll, and many other awards.
This will be the fifth annual “Keeping Jazz Alive” concert at Temple Beth Shalom. The series is inspired by Irving Smolens, a longtime Temple member and avid jazz fan. Smolens never missed a single performance of our earlier Cafe Beth Shalom series over its 15-plus years of history. A few weeks before Irving’s death, he spoke to fellow Temple member Bruce Gertz about bringing jazz concerts back to TBS. Bruce and other Temple jazz fans believe there is no better tribute to Irving than to fill our sanctuary with the music he loved.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. Tickets cost $25 and are available at these fine Melrose businesses: Hourglass, Bohemian Coffeehouse and Miter Biter. Tickets will also available at the door. For more information or to make reservations, call 781-662-5856. Beer, wine and refreshments will be available for sale at the show.
Temple Beth Shalom is located at 21 East Foster Street in Melrose. Parking is plentiful and we’re just a couple of blocks from the commuter railroad. Our building is handicapped accessible. Temple Beth Shalom is a Reform Jewish Synagogue, serving about 85 families from several North Shore communities including Melrose, Malden, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham and Wakefield.
This event is partially funded by the Mass Cultural Council.
